Porridge baths with wooden utensils are a huge hit with our 6 month old. The oats have helped Cian’s chicken pox to clear up quickly, with the added bonus that he loves relaxing in them.

SAFETY: Never leave a baby unsupervised in water, I was watching him the whole time.

Resources

  • Baby bath
  • Porridge
  • Wooden spoons
  • Wooden spatulas
  • Wooden rolling pins

Method

I started giving Cian these baths a week ago to help with his chicken pox. He’s loved them so much that I am going to keep going, even when the spots are fully cleared up.

You can hear the contented sounds as he chomps away.

He enjoyed it so much he stayed in for an hour and still cried when I took him out.

DfES Outcomes for EYFS (2013)

Communication and language

Listening and attention (8 to 20 months)

• Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.

• Has a strong exploratory impulse.

• Concentrates intently on an object or activity of own choosing for short periods.

• Pays attention to dominant stimulus – easily distracted by noises or other people talking.

Speaking

Speaking (Birth to 11 months)

• Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.

• Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.

Physical development

Moving and handling (Birth to 11 months)

• Turns head in response to sounds and sights.

• Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled.

• Reaches out for, touches and begins to hold objects.

• Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to the mouth.

Managing feelings and behaviour (Birth to 11 months)

  • Shows a range of emotions such as pleasure, fear and excitement.

Making relationships (Birth to 11 months)

• Enjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth.

• Responds when talked to, for example, moves arms and legs, changes facial expression, moves body and makes mouth movements.

• Recognises and is most responsive to main carer’s voice: face brightens, activity increases when familiar carer appears.